Writing Podcast Episode 728: Tom Rob Smith explores love and marriage in 'Twenty Years Together'

Same-sex couples fought long for marriage equality, but finally getting it didn’t necessarily equate to ‘happily ever after’. That’s the area UK-based bestselling author Tom Rob Smith explores in his new novel Twenty Years Together – inspired by how legalisation of gay marriage changed the psychology of long-term relationships. In this episode, Tom discusses the inspiration behind telling this nuanced love story and his own journey as a writer.

00:00 Welcome

04:24 Writing tip: Active vs. Reactive characters

10:04 WIN: The Warrumbar by William J. Byrne

11:48 Word of the Week: ‘Incrassate’

12:37 Interview with: Tom Rob Smith

13:45 Twenty Years Together premise

15:24 Defining the genre

19:17 Plotting and outlining process

21:54 Finding the right ending

23:24 Queer love story influences

26:48 Midlife marriage thought experiment